AN HISTORIC wall that once withstood the might of Oliver Cromwell is under new threat – from the Grand Designs-style development of one of Wales’ most distinctive buildings.

AN HISTORIC wall that once withstood the might of Oliver Cromwell is under new threat – from the Grand Designs-style development of one of Wales’ most distinctive buildings.

Residents in the picturesque seaside resort of Tenby have voiced anger at the proposed demolition of a retaining wall above the town’s old lifeboat house.

The move is part of a development to turn Tenby’s 100-year-old landmark into a unique holiday home, which is being followed by Kevin McCloud and Channel 4’s Grand Designs show.

Planning bosses said the application by Cardiff businessman Tim O’Donovan, which was granted in 2009, was a “very sensitively designed conversion scheme that retains the appearance and character of the Grade II-listed building”.

The plans for the building, once described as “the most photographed tin shed in Britain” thanks to its imposing seafront position, involve creating a contemporary galleried and oak-floored living space with three bedrooms off and a fourth bedroom in the old crew room. The old launch doors will house a picture window and balcony complete with stunning views.

In a report at the time it said: “It is also considered that the retention of the building in its original form as far as possible will result in the preservation and enhancement of the Conservation Area as the boathouse is an integral part of the area.”

But opponents are furious the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has allowed the removal of the wall, claiming the town’s heritage will be damaged.

Town Mayor Trevor Hallett said: “I was away when the application came before the town council and when the application was approved.

“What the planning application proposed was to remove and replace the boundary railings and inside in smaller print said the applicant wanted to remove part of the wall to improve access step to the property. I think the council may have missed that and no objections were lodged.

“It means the planning authority did not have to go to full debate on it. Since then there has been a tremendous outcry because, apparently, when the lifeboat had applied to do something similar to realign the steps and give them easier access, they were refused on the grounds that the wall was part of a heritage site.”

“A lot of people are upset because enforcement action has been taken against those who have removed parts of the wall. they have been made to replace it.”

Arthur Squibbs, former secretary of the Tenby Lifeboat Station, claimed there was “great unease” in the famously walled town that none of the authorities had sought to protect this particular wall.

“It may not be medieval, but it is certainly much older than the 1905 boathouse below there; any alteration to which was blocked during the RNLI tenure.”

He said breaching this wall has set a dangerous precedent and could pose a threat to the walling within the tourist resort.

“I fear that the National Park will not have the will to force reinstatement as they have done for far lesser transgressions in the past. There is great unease in the town about the entire development.”

The future of the Tenby landmark had been in doubt for a number of years after the RNLI built a new station to serve the seaside town.

Many, including the Civic Society, had hoped the structure would be demolished but intervention by heritage bosses led to a ruling it should be retained.

Harry Gardiner, chairman of Tenby’s Civic Society, said it was unfortunate that members of the public hadn’t raised their objections before. He said: “The plans were available at the town council offices and nobody bothered to look at them and object at the time. It was quite clear that steps were being proposed up to the wall and it was clear there was going to be a gap in the wall to accommodate that.”

A National Park Authority spokeswoman said the application underwent a full statutory consultation process.

“The Authority received applications for planning permission and Listed Building Consent earlier this year to provide a different means of pedestrian access to the Old Lifeboat Station in Tenby.

“These applications were dealt with under the Authority’s Agreed Delegation Scheme and underwent a full statutory consultation process. This included notices on site and public notices in the local media.

She added: “No objections were received to these applications at the time and following advice from Cadw that there was no objection to the Authority granting Listed Building Consent, these applications were approved.”

Mr O’Donovan – boss of Welsh civil engineering company Horan – said he was unable to comment on any aspects of the development because he is bound not to by his contract with Grand Designs’ producers.

WalesOnline is part of Media Wales, publisher of the Western Mail, South Wales Echo, Wales on Sunday and the seven Celtic weekly titles, offering you unique access to our audience across Wales online and in print.